“Can you imagine – in Europe there are people who believe there is no Bhagawan (God)!” Baba Ramdev, a highly popular yogi, said this to a sea of thousands of Indian schoolchildren with an expression of genuine wonderment on his face. I saw it on TV and it made me smile.
He is right. In Europe there are people who believe there is no God and I almost had become one of them. It is quite normal there. Yet for most Indians this is unbelievable: ‘Don’t these Europeans have any reasoning power? Can’t they come to the conclusion that there must be an invisible power and intelligence at the base of this vast universe and actually in our own bodies made up of billions of intelligent cells, as well? ‘They certainly have a point.
However, most Indians are not aware why many westerners believe there is no God. The reason is that we in the west have, if I may say so, a different God. Right from childhood we are ‘taught’ about the Christian God who is declared to be the only true God: a male, superman-like entity, watching over us from an unknown place, who is greatly favouring Christians, is jealous of other gods and actually quite unfair, because he sends all those who don’t join his Church, eternally to hell. Eternally! Already as a teenager, I lost faith in this God and together with it, thankfully, the fear of hell.
In 1980 I stopped over in India on my way to Australia. At least, that was what I thought. I did not break my journey in India for spiritual reasons, as I did not associate Hinduism with anything worthwhile. In school I had learnt that Hinduism is about an unjust caste system and plenty of (false, since Christianity has the true one) gods, and not knowing better, I had believed it. However, during this stopover, I stumbled on India’s ancient tradition and was amazed at its depth. I appreciated that intelligence was used in trying to establish the truth about this universe and no unverifiable dogmas were imposed. Swami Vivekananda’s “Jnana Yoga” was the first book I read. He stands in a long line of Rishis who have dedicated themselves since time immemorial to an intensive, disciplined, inner search for what is essentially true. Their findings don’t contradict modern science.
All forms and names are like waves on the ocean
The basis of every appearance in this universe, including our own person, is the same one Essence or Presence – real, infinite, eternal, formless and nameless. All forms and names are like waves on the ocean. The waves may think that they are separate from the ocean. They may not even see the ocean but only other waves. They may cling to their (temporary) form and be terrified to lose it, but ultimately all waves are nothing but the ocean and nothing is lost when their form subsides. Similarly, though we may consider ourselves as separate from the whole and cling to our impermanent person, our essence is pure, limitless awareness and nothing of substance is lost when form and name are lost.
The purpose of life and its fulfillment is to discover who we really are, the rishis declared.
This knowledge made immediately sense to me and was actually a source for great joy. It was in tune with my vague intuition that, if there is a God, he must be the basis of everything and not a separate entity.
Early during my stay in India, I met Devaraha Baba and Anandamayi Ma, two renowned saints of that time. I had never met persons like them. There seemed to be nobody there behind their eyes and their presence felt beneficial. “It is because they are enlightened”, someone explained to me. “God shines clearly through their form, because there is no ego to block that.”
“God”- this word had been missing in my vocabulary for long, but it comes up frequently in India among those who speak English, young and old, and strangely, here I did not sense any hypocrisy as I did in Germany. Indians use “God’ for the many different Sanskrit terms because it is the English term for the creator of the universe and they generally don’t realize that the Abrahamic God is different and requires believing in unverifiable dogmas. In India, the concept of God is much vaster and based on a genuine enquiry. The outcome of this enquiry is that God and one’s Self are basically the same. ‘This Atman (Self) is Brahman (God)’, declare the Vedas. It all made sense. The question however was now how to feel or experience this truth as real.
Anandamayi Ma, a saintly woman from Bengal who died in 1982, advocated Bhakti – love for the Divine and asked us to be always – 24 hours a day – aware of His (‘His’ does not imply ‘male’) Presence. “You are always in His loving embrace”, she said. It sounded authentic; however I was also drawn to Jnana, (knowledge), to Advaita Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism.
I genuinely tried to be aware of my innermost Being and to develop love for it. In the morning I resolved to be ‘the whole day’ aware, and while brushing my teeth, I had already forgotten about it. It was not that easy. The rishis knew that and gave many helpful tips – tips that are often missing in the western new age scene, which has heavily borrowed from the Hindu tradition, often without acknowledging it.
Refinement of one’s character
One important point is the refinement of one’s character. To be able to sense these subtle, yet very real realms of awareness, the mind and intellect have to be refined. The term “Arya” in the Vedas is not referring to a race. It means ‘noble”. Whoever lives a noble life is an Arya. “Let noble thoughts come to us from all corners” is a prayer from the ancient Veda. And further, “Brahman permeates the biggest and the smallest”. “See God in everyone.” “Respect nature”, and so on.
I became quite naturally a vegetarian. I could not partake anymore in this colossal bloodbath all over the globe, hidden from our eyes, but very real for each one of those poor creatures that are slaughtered without mercy. I tried to get up early, though I usually fell short by a couple of hours from the time, one gets up in ashrams – 4 a.m. I practised yoga and meditation, and tried to catch any negative thought/ emotion before it could lodge itself in my mind. Wishing well for everyone and doing what feels right, was the basic motto for my life. I enjoyed singing bhajans and even more listening to and reciting myself Vedic shlokas. I tried to follow for us westerners rather unusual rules, like ‘the freer you give from what you have (knowledge, wealth, etc.) the more you will receive’. I stopped being overly concerned about ‘fulfilling my desires’ that – so we were taught in psychology class in Europe – was paramount for mental health. I trusted Indian wisdom more than western psychology. There were times when all this was easy and many unbelievable coincidences happened, indicating that there is indeed a ‘God’ making his caring Presence felt. There were also many dry times, when it was difficult and I almost despaired at being neither here (immersed in worldly matters) nor there (knowing the truth).
Meanwhile 33 years have passed in India and I still have not been in Australia. I feel at home in Hindu Dharma. When somebody asks me, “are you Christian?” (which happens frequently), my answer is, “I am Hindu”. Have I discovered that underlying Presence that is claimed to be our essence?
Yes and no. Yes, because I had glimpses of a different state of awareness that feels special and yet completely natural. When this state occurs, life is immensely worthwhile, never mind whether pleasant or unpleasant things happen on the outside.
No, because shifting into this state and remaining in it, is not in my control. It is only occasionally ‘granted’.
Apart from discovering that there is indeed a different, blessed way of being, there are many other benefits that India granted. Death lost its sting to a great extent. I released that belief in rebirth is more than a belief – it is logical and scientific research supports it, too. The law of Karma also makes much more sense when it is stretched over many lives and it helps to accept one’s present situation and the differences between humans. This acceptance is not fatalism. It is in fact helpful in bringing about a change in the situation, if so needed. Thoughts lost their power to a certain extent, as there is a witness at the back watching them, though their flow has not stopped and so far, does not even seem to be stoppable. The most important aspect however is: I developed great trust in That what upholds me and everyone or should I say, trust in Bhagawan? Actually, I could not imagine living without it.
I am very grateful to India’s wisdom. It is all-inclusive of every human being without putting any prior conditions. “The whole world is one family”, it declares. It does not straight-jacket the mind by demanding belief in incredible dogmas, it does not require a membership card to be saved, and it gives great support for a happy life. Hindu Dharma is not a belief system but is based on natural, universal laws and in my view clearly the best option mankind has for living together in peace and harmony.
By Maria Wirth
187 Comments
How dare you? You know nothing of hinduism and you go and do whatever you want? How dare you walk into my home and religion and think it is ok. Today you have come….criminals…sorry but it is true….then all the muslims will walk in as well saying if you are allowing these people to come in then why not us? How dare you write stuff like this and barge into our home and religion! You are criminal. WHY? because you are converting hinduism into a religion similar to what you believe in. There is no conversion in hinduism. YOU ARE A CRIMINAL BECAUSE YOU ARE DESTROYING MY RELIGION. If you do not have enough intelligence that is your problem but honestly speaking, you are actually bringing your christian values into hinduism. If this happens I will change my religion. I am telling you the truth. I will not accept you in my religion because I know how much damage you have done to hindus and how much you carry on destroying it..
I am going to live a few years….I will be gone soon. I know you will come and bully our future generations with your ignorance about hinduism and change it, convert it to your ways and not ours. It is not written anywhere that everybody has to be converted to hinduism so why the audacity to just invade our privacy? You are invaders which is written in history. You will invade and rule again bringing your culture and your values in our home. What kind of criminal are you because you are working for Allah and not the Hindu god. It is a very auspicious day today but you have really made me very angry. I do not wish to celebrate diwali anymore. I have to put up with criminals like you? You have committed high treason against Ishwar. If all of us were to follow one religion and become one race, because your eyes must be roving at our men, God would have created that.
And christians lie just like muslims….why do you believe in the trinity if you say you only believe in one god – a man. Mary, your namesake is worshipped in churches. You area liar and a cheat and destructive. I dont want you in my religion. For this very reason, I will not celebrate diwali this year. Lets see how far we get.
Hi Madhu,
Can’t help feeling that you are a Christian…. You are certainly not a Hindu.
I guess, you meant that you won’t celebrate Christmas this year. I am sure, you never celebrated Diwali. Wished you could see some light…. Your language certainly does not make you a pleasant person and I assume you wanted this unpleasantness to fall on the Hindu side.
Maria Wirth
Mrs Mariawirth is very right. What she wrote is genuine. I feel, she has completely accepted Hinduism. WE WELCOME YOU WITH ALL OUR HEART AND SOUL. You understood and also felt Hinduism deeply. I respect you. Message of Hinduism, as you mentioned is universal.
I am extremely sorry to say that Mr.Madhu could NOT understood you. He is dragging things which you never thought & you never mentioned. Please do not be prejudiced.
Mr. MADHU MAY PLEASE READ HER ARTICLE ONCE AGAIN.
I really enjoyed your post. Just as I was wavering, Devraha Baba’s mention get me alert. I had the good fortune of meeting him on three, perhaps four occasions, when Dad took us to his various ashrams as a family. It took me many years of maturing to realise only in the last ten years or so that I was in the presence of divine for the few minutes that we were with Him.
Hope your journey continues without any difficulties.
Ashok
very insightful article. thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
It is kind act you have performed when you have expressed your experiences. .
I wish many people read it.
Vishwa Mohan Tiwari
Excellent article. Keep up your good work. I plan on reading your other blog articles in the near future.
Certainly, Maria, I am also Maria, you know who I am. For sure Madhu is either a Christian who wants to give bad name to Hinduism (which is the most probably) or an unbalanced Hindu who has had such bad experiencies with Christianity (which is understandable) as to, as Krishnamurti used to say, “not seeing the tree (your article) but the image he has in his mind of the tree”. We share the same religious background, of which we conserve only the name. I understand you and think you have done a great good to Hinduism by this article. See with dispassion the outrage of a troubled mind.
if you are really a Hindu, let me say that you have not understood at all the embracing essence of your own religion. Moreover from a person like Maria who is only defending it with many more arguments than your bitter wrath that blinds you for seeing what is there in her words. Check again the teachings and the knowledge of your own religion, if you are a hindu. Equanimity, dispassion and detachment will help you to see what is there and not to obscure your mind with prejudice and racism. And if by chance, you are only a Christian angry with one sheep of the flock who has thought a little more and higher than the average of the christian flock, then go back to the teachings of Jesus who talked about love.
Jai Shri krishna Mariaji,
I appreciate the outlook you have about Sanatana Dharma (Currently known as Hinduism). Also I feel like why most of the people are not thinking like you.
Also I feel little awkward about what Mr Madhu said to you. I don’t know whether he is a Hindu/Christian. Please excuse him.
Usually Hindus doesn’t feel bad about the people who genuinely respects Hinduism.
I appreciate the god which is in you that u acknowledge truly the values of Hinduism. As most of us aware that, in India, Christians try to digest Hinduism completely by convincing that Hindu gods are evils and Hindus are people possessed by devils, try to misguide the people and try to convert them.
Please check the below links in sequence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmj-_BB6zWY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dmwTuhmfEA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z6meEmZRog
I believe people like you will be the eye openers for others.
Also I wish people like you should take initiatives in saving Hinduism and its core values by rising voice against Christian missionaries as shown in the above videos.
Thanks once again.
Jai Shri Krishna.
Vethan C.M.
Swaagatam !! Welcome to Hindu Dharma, Maria Ji !! A Billion plus Hindus welcome you to ‘your own Dharma’ which you realized now ! It was yours always !! Like a Sun or Moon or Earth !!
Maria/Maria………………so now I am a christian just because I know of your religion! You tend to forget how devious you are. You have built convent schools all over the world….maybe that was one reason….and then I was abducted by a muslim and was forced to become muslim…..even today they follow me and force me to belieive I am a muslim…………..he he he…….you lot are funny people at the same time as being criminal……..you convert little children by giving them morsels in exchange of christianity, you have missionaries running rampant in india converting the poor. The poor and the children do not have a voice….I am trying to tell you how criminal you are and you are forcing your views again on me! Strange these religions that preach conversion. I spent 15 years of my life studying religions and why everyone is so arrogant and criminal using their religion as a tool. It is a human right to believe in what you believe in but both you and muslims abduct women and children and poor and convert them even if you have to beat them. Ha ha ha….you are funny and criminal at the same time. Just because I studied christianity or islam or buddhism does not make me a christian or muslim. I learned it to protect myself and my people but now you are into this kind of invasion. Interesting indeed.
Maria/Maria………….are you related to Sam ?
Jai shri krishna.
Dear Madhu,
I am Sorry, initially I thought you were wrong and you are simply abusing her.
Now another maria also joined to blame you .. It looks like a conspiracy to me…
But at this point of time I am not completely sure.
You are right. studying other religion doesn’t make you to belong to that religion.
It looks like they want to be in Hinduism and try to digest it.
Neither maria still saying “Christian missionaries are bad” and we should fight against them.
No one is saying that US has taken patent for turmeric which is bad. Now people are propagating yoga as christian yoga… This is how the digestion of Hinduism takes place.
I shared videos as well. Missionaries are greatest threat to Hinduism as well as India.
Still you gave a food for thought.
Can Maria/Maria write an article on this and say they are wrong to prove that you are genuinely following Hinduism????
Thanks to Madhu..
Jai Shri krishna.
Vethan C.M.
Dear Vethanji:
Of course we are not fake, we are truely convinced Hindus. I cannot write an article simply because I don´t have that master of English (I am from Spain). But here are some facts that I hope help:
– Maria is the MOST COMMON female name in christian countries. In fact, earlier it was an obligatory part of whatever other name the parents wanted to put to the children, either Maria alone, or whatever/Maria-Maria/whatever.
– I feel her close to me and understand her well because we both were insatisfied and disappointed with christianity and found in Hinduism the response to our spiritual yearning. And also perhaps both of us have to suffer the prejudice and the xenophobia of people who question our authenticity because our different background and etnic origin.
– I supported the 1st spanish Hindu Encounter, celebrated last june with the aim of making a federation for asking the government the officiality of Hinduism as a religion in Spain. I attended the part of the meeting that my circumstances allowed me to attend. It was a humble encounter with only around 15-20 proved committed hindus, because we are a minority in Spain, and without many funds. Here is the link, though of course, the video is in spanish:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z7k6glXYeI
– I HEARTILY CONDEMN the missionarie activities which make me outrageous and whenever I get an opportunity, I mail them criticizing and questioning their acitivities (arround 10 mails for and back with people of Joshua Project, for example, above several other things in this line). Missionary activities are a lack of respect, and as Swami Dayananda says, truely a VIOLENCE which I CONDEMN with all my force.
– I HEARTILY CONDEMN whatever activity directed to colonise another culture, moreover when it is the culture of my adoptive Mother Bharat, including that one about turmeric of which I didn´t have any idea.
– Provided you use the term “digestion” I assume that, like me, you know about the works of Mr. Rajiv Malhotra (Breaking India, Being Different and Invading the sacred are his books). You can find me in his yahoo group and see the type of mails I write there.
If after all of these you both are not convinced of our honesty, I don´t think I need to prove it anymore. Bhagawan is watching us all, and we owe ourselves to Him only.
OM NAMAHA SHIVAYA
Maria Lozano
Madhu: What you are doing is called defamation: accusing somebody without the necessary proofs to accuse. Ans what you are proving to be is something else: xenophobic: rejecting somebody only because of his cultural background.
Haven´t you read that Maria, like me DOESN´T BELONG TO THAT RELIGION ANYMORE? And that in fact, whenever we write, in my case mails, we condemn these activities. If you know so much about other religions, then you should know that a child is baptised being one month old, which as you may realise, is not a proper age for choosing anything. When we came to the age of thinking by ourselves, we chose Hinduism as our own path, to follow, honor, respect and defend against all the menaces it has, including the ones mentioned.
Don´t you realise that we are at your side? If we Hindus don´t get unite and fight among ourselves,, that was the colonial rule of “divide and rule”, and those forces against India and against hinduism will have the strength to continue conquering.
Don´t pre-judge so much….only thinking that you are very young, I can understand your lack of recognising who is at your side and who against you. Breath deeply, relax, take out the veil that is blinding you and LOOK. I will not continue with these nonsense anymore, We don´t need to prove ourselves in front of eyes that don´t want to accept us.
I hope you reconsider and still celebrate Diwali, an auspicious occasion for the triumph of light over darkness. It will help to win over the darkness inside yourself. Happy Diwali to you too.
Maria Lozano
I am quite damn sure madhug is NOT a hindu.
There are scores of such people on the Internet, mostly from Pakistan, or those hindu hating abrahamic followers, pretending to be Indians/Hindus and making all sorts of comments like this trying to divide Indians into hating each other on religious lines or trying to seed hatred in non-Indians about Hindus.
Maybe you like to read my article about meeting Devaraha Baba:
http://www.lifepositive.com/Spirit/Rituals/The_Ageless_Yogi122010.asp
thank you for your good wishes. wish you also all the best
Maria Wirth
Please see my article http://mariawirthblog.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/christian-missionaries-harm-india/ it has also come on the Hindu Human Rights website, on Indiafacts and some other websites.
And if you find time, please read some other articles on my blog, like “Let’s all be Hindu fundamentalists”, “If Germany is Christian is India Hindu” “Is Hinduism a religion?” “Please don’t say,’all religions are the same’”.
I have usually a hard time with my Indian so called ‘secular’ friends as they consider me a ‘Hindu fundamentalist’, and now I am also suspected by genuine Hindus like you who are, like me, very concerned about missionary activities. Please don’t expect me to write about patents, as I don’t know enough about it, but surely, I do condemn stealing from India, and you will notice this when you read more on my blog. I also have articles on the Life Positive website: http://www.lifepositive.com/writers/Maria_Wirth3.asp
Maria Wirth
u don’t need to convince idiots online/internet they can’t be convinced they r just idiots just learn to ignore them, & u dont have to reply to them
Maria Lozano and Maria Wirth you both are wonderful woman. By the way I am in Holland I dont see many Indian Hindus in the video posted by Maria Lozano. There are many Indians who run businesses and also nepalese particuarly in Barcelona. THey can contribute something and we work for our community and spread of knowledge. We dont have to show disrepect to living being while doing so because we believe in Vasudaiva kutumbam or entire universe is lord Vishnu.
Jai Shri Krishna,
Maria Ji,
I have seen people who did convince Hindus saying that we are also respect Hinduism, ..blah blah stuffs. It happened in one of our relatives only. When her daughter was ill, the whole family was convinced to convert to Christianity by their beloved christian friends(Who was truly respecting Hinduism!!!). (Of-course the reason they gave as Hindu deities are useless/powerless etc and all other bullshits..)
This is the point where my doubts starts.. One who respects Hinduism, why the same people convince the Hindus to convert when the they are in trouble???
Because of these kind of people we doubt on you.
As long as you are directly/indirectly doesn’t cause any threats to Hinduism as well as Bharata, you no need to prove your authenticity. I am a Hindu Nationalist. I totally respect our culture as well as our nation. Any sorts of threats are not tolerated by people like me.
But the things are going in the different way for which our consciousness makes us to re-think about the authenticity of non-Hindus who claims themselves as they are Hindus.
By the way, I am sorry, you no need to get offended (if truly u r following Hinduism) by my words. This is also happening because of Christians only.
Hinduism got lots of blow in the past and it is still continuing. If anywhere found, people like you are misleading it will be a big disaster to the openness of accepting the others to Hinduism!
I hope you are not one of the kind.
Yes I read your other articles as well. I really respect your thoughts as well.
Also I added this article in my Facebook page as well.
Hope you understand my reasoning.
Jai Shri krishna.
Vethan C.M.
Maria ji, I really liked your post. The freedom to pursue your own path, have your own god, have your own book, have your own method is built into hindu dharma and you were naturally attracted to it, examined it and since it worked for you you accepted it like it does for a lot of us born hindus. I am sure you are at a stage where the ravings of a crank do not have any impact. He is on his journey. Let him be. Hari om tat sat !!
Dear Maria Wirth,
Excellent article I must say. While I’m sure you did quite a bit of researching before you came to the realization, I’d like to add a few more points here.
1) India is the only ancient country in the world that never invaded any other country and tried to impose its religion on it. Reason?
2) India is the only country where Jews, Zoroastrians were never persecuted. And rioting took place only with those who sought to enforce their religion on Hindus. Reason?
3) In about 6th century B.C., a man denies the prominent religion of the time, discards the Vedas, and instead of burning him at stake, Hindus even to this day consider him to be the tenth incarnation of Vishnu. He was the Buddha. Reason?
4) The spherical shape of the earth, the zero, the number system, the singularity, geometry, trigonometry, Yog, Meditation, the non-geocentric model of the universe, calculus, surgery, the distance between sun and earth, etc etc. These revelations ALL took place in one country… India. Reason?
5)Hindus have formed no violent organizations abroad that seek to “provide justice” to its people or impose their indigenous law upon that country. Reason?
6) Even though it is labelled Pagan by some western intellectuals, Sanatan dharm survived unlike the Pagan religions of Egypt, Scandinavia, Rome, Greece etc which were wiped off in only as much as 10-50 years of subjugation. India, on the other hand, survived the rule of Abrahamic religions for about 800 years, but still today, Sanatan Dharm is the third largest religion in the world. Reason?
7) While everyone even in the west today has come to believe that non-vegetarianism leads to inhuman slaughter of millions of life forms, India has lowest meat consumption in the world. Reason?
The reason is quite simple:
Sanatan Dharm
Religion plays a very important role in how societies are shaped. It is the mold in which the mentality of the masses is cast. Sanatan Dharm never asked its followers to spread the religion. Ancient Hindu Kings felt no scriptural obligation to go out there and conquer the “heathens” and to “bring them to light.” No new thought was ever suppressed or derided in the Hindu scriptures, inciting no persecution of those who wanted to think differently, leading to greater innovation and respect (not just tolerance) for even those who differed from the mainstream.
It can even be understood by observing simple human psychology. Putting it in perspective, if there’s a class of young students, who are posed with an elaborate question, some of them will make absurd assumptions in order to justify their answer to the question. They will even react violently when someone raises doubts, and they’ll try to quieten the doubters by intimidating them and they would ask them NOT to question their assumptions because they were FINAL or unimpeachable. Because on the inside, they know that there is a scope for error in their answer. They will then go on to cry out their answer to the rest of the class in order to gain acceptance. Believing that a widely accepted idea will surely come across as true to observers.
In such a class, Sanatan Dharm is boy, sitting calmly in the back, who has already formed his answer, and encourages others to question him, to correct him if some discrepancies have crept in. He will not try to argue or prove his point by intimidation. Knowing that, in the end, when all illusions are cleared, his rational answer will emerge as the most appropriate.
Thanks for reading.
May you remain happy and enlightened. 🙂
Dear Maria,
Excellent Article….
Namaste Maria (Wirth and Lozano)Ji –
You are the Best Example of our Hindu festival Diwaali !! You have dispelled the darkness of Ignorance and adopted the path of ‘True’ light – Hindu Dharma!!
Wish you both and Others who read this – A Very Happy Diwaali !!
Namaste Maria Wirth Ji I want to translate this blog of yours and give it to media for printing. Can you please permit me ? We will start with Marathi, then Hindi etc..
Madhu G – Your name is Madhu but the language you use is not ‘Madhu’r. You say “There is no conversion in hinduism” . This is totally wrong !! Any human being in the Universe can become Hindu !! Do you know that Bhagini Nivedita – a disciple of Swami Vivekananda – was a Christian CATHOLIC Ms Margarett Noble ? There are many such examples. ‘Mohammed Kulikhan’ became ‘Netoji Palkar’ of ChhatraPati Shivaji !! ‘Anwar Shaikh’ became ‘Aniruddha Shikha’ … Krunvanto Vishwam Aryam is the Goal given by Hindu forefathers to we Hindus. !! Please work on that and welcome – ALL – To Become A HINDU – Wholeheartedly. !!
Thank you Sir, for your appreciation. No, there were not indian hindus in that encounter, except for the owner of the temple where it was celebrated, and the prominent speaker whose father was indian (mother spaniard). Several invitations were sent by the organizers to the known-to-them committed hindus and nobody else was interested enough/was able to come to attend. They wanted the meeting to be a serious one, not only for “curious people”. And for getting this point here, one has to be very careful: too many curious people that may practise yoga in one of the many several “invented” branches in the west. And it was done with an important lack of funds. But afterwards, the good news is that they are working on that recognition from the government.
And honestly, according to my experience, there are many indian hindus here in Spain who are not committed at all with Hinduism, “hindus” only by name and birth.
Madhu is either completely stupid or just very gross Christian. How could someone stop to observe a Hindu celebration only because someone is supposedly “denouncing” it?
On my travels through india, I have met many many people – usually VERY friendly and easy. Whenever I was rudely spoken to or heavily cheated – it was almost always by Christians. Somehow they think harsh speaking is good or it is because they lose their traditions… Anyway, the way Madhu speaks reminds me heavily of my encounters with Christian Indians in or outside of India.
Madhug, you are not protecting yourself, you are giving a bad name for you and Hinduism. Be “madhu”! Your “defense” will be more effective! Because it is by arguments, not by name-calling that you will convince others.
Read Maria’s article, and other articles, too – with an alert mind and it will dawn upon you that she is right and she means it with all her heart.
Best wishes
Shaas
Hi Maria,
/** Hindu Dharma is not a belief system but is based on natural, universal laws and in my view clearly the best option mankind has for living together in peace and harmony.
**/
Can you pls explain, what are the universal laws that you had mentioned in above line? Dharma is NOT based on laws.. IT is a highly complex and dynamic concept, that spans geography, time, people group, occupation and the dhesa concept.. so when you say “universal laws”, you appear to be unconsciously resorting to christian concept of universality..
Since you also spoke about “GOD”, could you pls explain which GOD you are focussing on.. IN bharathiya society (which is different from the Hindu society of Uprooted Urban Indians), there is a kula / gothra concept, where each gothra have their own kula devata..
Also, eventhough Iswar (God Shiva) is universal, he is identified by the place (sthalam) he resides in.. For eg, Kasi Viswamanathar, Somanathar etc.. which means, the same divine force exhibits differently in different places..
As such, you need to look in to your own Ethnic Homeland, and look out for the GOD of that region.. that is the actual realisation of GOD, where you can physically connect & identify with.. Most of modern day Swamis, dont teach this, and take the disciples in to a vague world of philosophical religion..
I hope, you would have learnt about pre-christian gods and GODDESSES like odin, helen etc.. dont you feel, that as a person from your region, you are bound to worship your own ethnic gods ?
Please read one more story like you Maria:
I liked Christianity before, but after doing research by self, got all these questions and no answer for them on this earth. So, finally dropped my opinion and got my answers in Hinduism. I thought to share my questions to you all……Christianity is a not a religion. They are saying , it is a religion but not true. If God written Bible, how come they re-written it 3 times. Why Bible written after 360 years of Jesus Cruxification. When God is one, why Christians follow Mary again? They say- Jesus father was ruling this world before Jesus, then, what religion they were following and why they are not continuing same religion and why they need to write Bible again, when they say- already Jesus father followers and his religion is there on this world. If Jesus father is the main creator of this Universe, why to follow Jesus again? Why its 80% of bible copy from Buddhism. Where Jesus went from childhood to Teenage, what happened to him after taking to him to cage after Cruxification? Where he went after 32 years? What he was doing in Himalayas during Childhood and after 32 years? Why don’t Christian Missionaries are not doing research on tomb of Jesus in Kashmir and do DNA test? Many people says, Jesus Christ itself learned everything from Hinduism and Buddhism in child hood and converted to Hindu after 33 years and lived in Himalayas rest of his life till 120 years. Then, where is Christianity when Jesus itself a Hindu. Is it a religion created by western by full of blood , killed many people and converted. Is it a Political Party and not any more religion? because they using lot of money around world to convert as many as people by making advantage of people poverty. Christianity says – Jesus created all this world and all creatures are same. Then, why it says only who follow Christianity will go to heaven and rest go to hell.. So, are you accepting- Jesus Christ Discriminates the human kind. God means, should treat all creatures and all are same. Do you treat your kids in different ways, who follow you and who not? That`s shows what Christianity and its discrimination . They say , we don’t like Idol, then, why you are using Cross symbol and Photos, Statues ….all are Idol itself. 1st, should reform this religion. ……Its not to hurt anyone. Just sharing questions that raised in mind. …….We all have same earth, same water, same air, same sky, same blood, …For every action, there is reaction- Like that, whatever work we do on this earth, should Karma follows you. You are not bringing anything to this world nor taking also. Even your body created here and you dont have control on your own body, when you will die. Is anyone knows the purpose of our life here? If example , we are here for money: You will be the world richest man on this earth. whats next, you cant become a richest man on this universe, because you dont know other stars and planets well. God gave this life to get Moksha by using all nature and this beautiful world, not to rule or kill creatures here. How Pancha Bhutas are in Human and same time Pancha Bhutas are there on this external world. Controlling outside Pancha Bhutas is Technology, where we are running our system and world is following. Learning ourselves and controlling internal Pancha Bhutas is Spirituality, that is what our ancestors taught us to get Moksha. Start learning Sanatana Dharma, Bhagavat Gita, Vedas, Puras, Upanishads, you will seee many interesting things. I believe entire Human life is not enough to know about complete Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma. Its not a religion or process of life born with one book like other religions. As you see deep of hinduism and Santana Dharma, you will see many interesting things beyond your thoughts and current technology and many things you wont get answers easily without practice. …..Good Luck My friends … Namaste,,,.Ohm OM NAMAH SHIVAY
Please understand that I wrote an article and not a book. By universal laws I mean what can be discerned as right by introspection. Negative emotions and actions following from them like killing others from hate, can be discerned as not being right universally, unless brainwashed from childhood otherwise.
I agree what the rishis discovered is a huge, complex body of knowledge, spanning many fields. For living a dharmic life all this may not be necessary to be known, but a “belief system” should certainly not muddle those (excuse me) ‘universal laws’ , which unfortunately happens.
Maria Wirth
Did I not explain the Christian God in whom I had lost faith and later, that ‘God ‘is used by Indians who speak English for the many Sanskrit terms?
No, I don’t feel obliged to worship old German pagan gods, like Wotan or Freya (they were different from Greek gods). They were dead for too long and we were brainwashed in school too badly that they were ridiculous and false. It would feel artificial for me, however in India I encountered living gods.
Maria Wirth
So in that case, the term “Universal Law” appears highly mis-leading.. “NOT killing out of hatred” are part of universal value system.. NOT laws.. we are confusing both..
Why i am insisting this is that many gurus today say “Dharma is Universal” which is NOT right, as per the Hindu Concepts..
I am afraid Iswara is meant to be EXPERIENCED, and not so much INTECTUALLISED…a full treatise on the chemistry of sugar will never give you any clue to know how the sugar tastes.
/** No, I don’t feel obliged to worship old German pagan gods, like Wotan or Freya (they were different from Greek gods). They were dead for too long and we were brainwashed in school too badly that they were ridiculous and false. It would feel artificial for me, however in India I encountered living gods.
**/
1. I did not suggest you to worship any pagan gods.. the term paganism itself is a modern construct, which we have to throw away.. what i asked is the GOD of your ethnic homeland (i dont know which is your homeland) .. as i have already said, although Ishwara is a omnipresent, he is special in each Sthalams (place).. the kasi viswanathar is special, and so as the somanathar (of somnath). Like wise, there is an ishwara of your ethnic homeland, which is the umblical cord b/w you and the GOD you are searching for..
2. The Pagan Gods are NOT dead.. they are suppressed.. if you look out the GODS and GODDESS of your ethnic homeland, i am sure, you can discover them.. that would NOT be artificial, but fulfilling experience..
peace ! compassion for one and all god is one we are all one !
Re. your comment on “universal laws”: Laws are administrating the whole universe. And there is one universal law, Dharma, that supports and administer all the laws of nature of the universe. The knowledge of this universal Dharma is contained in Veda and Vedic Literature which is hte basis not only of Hinduism but also Christianity and science and all the other streams of knowledge.
It is certainly not a “christian concept” – what are you talking about? If at all it is a someone’s concept then it is Vedic concept.
Only Vedic philosophy is able to integrate all philosophies and opinions and lead them to the common goal. This is not possible for christianity or islam or other because they are exclusivistic, i.e. either your are with us or you are against us and therefore doomed to eternal destruction or hell.
Only Veda, or Sanatan Dharm, is strong and universal enough to show the way to the Supreme, irrespective of what one has done so far and irrespective of current view of life. Âtmâ, unbounded pure consciousness, is the basis of everyone – whether sinner or devotee – start to realize it right away.
The prerequisite of enlightenment, of the Ultimate Reality, is not a new religion or opinions or behavioural patterns, no! Prerequisite is to start the practice experiencing one’s Self, âtmâ. Everything else will follow naturally.
That is the universality of veda and Vedic Literature – you can apply it under any circumstances.
..shifting into this state and remaining in it, is not in my control. It is only occasionally ‘granted’..
hmm.. how to make it voluntary then, mam..? Facing the same problem.
ohho..!! I read “The Madhug” now only..!!
“If anyone were to speak ill of me, do not bear any ill-will towards him, be upset or perturbed at heart; for if you were to be so, it will only cause you harm. If, on the other hand, anyone were to speak well of me, do not be overjoyed, thrilled or elated; for if so it will only be an obstacle in the way of forming a realistic judgement as to whether the qualities praised in us are real and actually found in us.”
———–Gautama Buddha.
Well, personally, I would like to compliment you mam, for writing such enlightening articles, for being so open-minded.!! I may be just another follower of you, but you are not just another blogger for me. I read all the books of Shri Vivekananda, I did my way to realization, still in process, I have a similar thought process to you. I love reading your articles and I have tried my level best not to miss any of your article ever.!! If I be lucky, God will definitely make me meet you one day.!!
||OM||
Varun, I don’t know how to make it voluntary. But maybe better not to see it as a problem.
Maria
Senthil,
I think it is absolutely unfair to cross-examine Mariajee on this blog. From the nature of the questions that you are raising, it is clear that you have very little fundamental knowledge of what the Sanathana Dharma is all about. You need to educate yourself first – and there is a lot to learn about the Hindu Dharma. We who are born into the Hindu Dharma are very often so arrogant to assume that we know everything about our Dharma while we are mostly ignorant and perhaps know a little bit from what we practice on a day to day basis.
I would recommend that you read some scriptures like Bhagawad Geetha and in fact listen to some lectures and get your basics straight. Then you will come to appreciate the profoundness of what Mariajee is writing in these blogs.
Hats off to Mariajee for upholding the flag of Sanathana Dharma and letting it fly high.
Mariajee, I wish to apologize on behalf of people like Senthil, who may be sincere in their approach but are nevertheless breaching the limits of decency. People like madhug should be ignored completely.
Dear Maria,….I`m glad to find your blogg..!!..several weeks ago…and I admire your work to communicate on your blogg these spiritual and cultural themes of the HinduWorld in such a profund way.!!!….and I like to write to you in the german language about a Hindu -Topic, which I can`t clearely express in english. Please give me your e-mail adress to write to you. Thank you!
Bernhard Wimmer
Dear Maria,
Thank you for another loving article !! Just wanted to add here: the meaning of the word BHARAT, as espoused by my spiritual Guru, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
BHARAT = BHA (Bhagawan/God) + RATI (love/attachment)
BHARAT is the land where God is LOVED !
By the way, you seem to be having 2 trolls, not one. Tk care !
hi to everyone, there is nothing in the name of religion, everyone fights, i m great u r small,can we believe similar things happening with gods, hindu gods fighting with jesus, jesus with allah , allah with buddha and so on, if this would have happening then we would expriencing there side effects. but there is not bcos god is one, there names r taken in different way in diffrnt culture. just take sanathan dharma (hinduism) several gods r there n we can follow any one of them as our role model n they teach one thing salvation but not to fight eachother, i have learn only these through my understanding n learning. may god give peace to everyone. hari om
Wonderful story! I too am a non-Indian Hindu 🙂
Thank you for sharing this. It was in a way healing to hear your story. Many Hindus due to colonial hangover has lost their pride in their religion and feel ashamed of their religion. Hope the light of sanatan dharma revitalise in the coming days.
Thanks for the excellent easy flowing enjoyable article, yes please avoid rubbish comments such as posted by madhug in future blogs. You may also be interested to know more about Tatva vada (also called dvaita) by Shri Madhwacharya.
What am noticing is genuine people who are really interested (Jidnyasa) to know about GOD are getting attracted more and more to Hinduism since it provides depth to any extent one can go. Though there are some core principles Hinduism offers free thinking thats the reason we have different traditions like advaita, dvaita, vishista advaita unlike in abrahmic religions which are controlled by institutions.
Namaste Maria, I like your blog. With your permission I would like to republish it in http://www.vedicambassador.wordpress.com Could you send me some of your pictures that I could use for illustartion?
Hope to hear from you soon.
Best,
Jura Nanuk
please feel free to republish the article. how do I attach a photo? can u send me your email id?
Maria
Thanks, I got the picture. You can see your blog post republished here: http://vedicambassador.wordpress.com/2013/12/06/the-story-of-another-western-hindu/
absolute waste of time……
There is no Head Office like other religions. However, there are numerous branches to which one can affiliate or start their own branches or even stay aloof. Everyone is free. That is the strength and uniqueness of Hinduism.
Hallo Herrr. Wimmer, wenn Sie in Deutschland leben und wenn Sie diese Themen auf Deutsch diskutieren moechten, waere ich daran interessiert. Bitte mit mir Kontakt aufnehmen.
vasuerfolg-at-gmail-punkt-com Ich wohne in Frankfurt am Main.
This madhug is definitely a frustrated christian playing a very carefully thought up twisted logic so as to prove that a hindu is such a foolish person not even understanding his or her religion,but at the same time trying to discourage people in understanding the true essence of Hinduism. It was a very cunning ploy by a deeply disturbed person(most probably a christian evangelist) who just found out that someone is making so called heathen Hindus to introspect about themselves in an intelligent manner. This person`s response betrays his deep hatred for Hinduism and does not want someone to reveal the true intolerant colours of christianity. The response substantiate the level of irrational hatred christian evangelists have towards anything related to Hinduism.But ,he has to understand that there exists sufficiently intelligent people who can see through his double crossing game.
One important concept used by evangelists for proselytizing people of other religions is deceit. Here madhug is not able to digest the fact that an ex-christian is praising Hinduism and attempting to enlighten the Native Hindus about the significance of their religion.he was not able to deal the situation directly. He did not want himself to be perceived as an intolerant christian, but he wanted to discourage Maria from her noble deed. So he pretended as a stupid Hindu to sow doubt in Maria`s mind. He thought of himself as a very cunning person ,only to get the exact opposite effect of what he intended. Just ignore such malice. Please continue your work Maria. Some one named Senthil is also attempting what madhug is doing,but in a much more covert manner. These people should understand that their malice is out and out visible in their comments.
Actually this Senthil may be an annoyed christian fundamentalist who does not want to reveal his aggression towards Hinduism and wants to be perceived as having intelligent discourse but to no avail. He is trying to equate Hinduism with the pre christian pagan religion which was followed in Germany,but extinct for hundreds of years. The extreme intolerance of Christians in those times played a significant role in destroying Pagan religions in Europe. Senthil is trying to reduce the significance of Hinduism which prevailed attacks from organised religions throughout history and is still followed by millions of people around the world.This proves that Senthil does not even have any basic concept about Hinduism.Before making comments he should try to get an in depth understanding about Hinduism .For that one has to see things without prejudice. It is very difficult for a person of semitic religion to assimilate facts in an unbiased manner as the person is thoroughly brainwashed with one sided views which are mostly twisted and distorted. Senthil,Try to evaluate hinduism with a open heart.
Dear Maria,
No hindu would feel offended the way “madhu” felt. Its clear she is NOT a hindu. Tehre are many western people who are returning to sanatan dharma. As a hindu, I would really want people to see the truth about hindus rather than poison spread by church and west. It is only dharma that care about individual liberation rather than any conversion or contract
I wish you all the best on your spiritual journey.
Regards
Ajay Kumar
Dear Maria,
Awesome way to explain.
I really respect your views and have read many email chains on Rajiv Malhotra Discussion group on yahoo.
Regards
Ajay
What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing. I am learning and loving this beautiful religion, and when the time is right, I too will convert. I’m praying to Lord Shiva, Mahalakshmi and Lord Ganesh to guide me while I find my way.
Dear Monab2013,
It is good to hear that you loved this beautiful dharma (not religion). However let me clarify that you dont “convert” to hinduism you return to hinduism.
I hope you agree
Regards
Ajay Singh
Dear Maria/Monab2013 or others who have embraced Hinduism (in west)
How would you like to comment on biased religious studies in West which purposefully denigrates Hinduism by quoting incorrect facts and translations. For eg Wendy Doniger, Professor of History of Religions, University of Chicago
Possible this studies are funded by Church in West whose sole purpose is to de-mean Hinduism for the sake of ‘exclusive’ claim that on Church has sole franchise of “GOD”
It is remarkable that instead of so much wrong propaganda going in West you were able to see the good side of it (the bad side is only the bad interpretation of things )
Hope you continue you journey of discovering the self
Regards
Ajay Singh
UNDER STANDING GOD IN HINDUISM IS VERY SIMPLE…AHM BHRAMASMI …I AM PART OF HIM. ALL LIVING NON LIVING THINGS ARE PART OF HIM..ALL MY ACTIONS ARE PART OF MY KARMA AND THE RESULS WILL FOLLOW THE DEED ..HE IS THERE IN EVERY THING..THERE FORE FOR A HINDU THERE IS NO CONFLICT ..HE CAN WORSHIP ANOTHER MAN,STONE ,RIVERS,HILLS ,PLANTS IN ANY FORM IN ANY WAY OR NOT WORSHIP AT ALL …YOU ARE FREE TO BELIEVE OR NOT TO BELIEVE AND YOU ARE STILL A FOLLOWER OF HINDUISM.SUCH A SUPREME THOUGHT YOU WILL NEVER FIND IN ANY OF THE WORLD RELIGIONS BUT MAY BE IN BUDHISM…….AN OF SHOOT OF HINDU THOUGHT…MIND YOU EVEN AT THE TIME OF VEDAS AND UPANISHADS THERE WERE CHARWKAS,WHO WERE NON BELIEVERS , WHO USED TO PREACH THAT THERE IS NO GOD ,YOU ARE HERE TO ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR EXISTANCE..AND THERE IS NO AFTER LIFE!!!!!!BUT THEY WERE ALSO ACCEPTED AND CALLED RISHIS OR SAGES…THAT IS HINDUISM!!!!!!!!! UNFORTUNATELY ADVENT OF CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM INFLUENCES WHICH WERE INTOLERANT, SOME WHAT DESTROYED THE TRUE SPIRIT OF HINDUISM…IN MEDIVAL PERIOD AND MADE HINDU CUSTOMS REGID FOR PURPOSES OF SELF PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION….!
Namaste Ajay:
Doniger is a jewish (she herself says in one of her videos). In my case I keep trying to learn continuosly, and side others in the side of Dharma, like Rajiv Malhotra, others who know much more than me. Mr. Malhotra has clearly termed these type of scholars among the “uturn” westerners: they go, apparently imbibe indian/hindu culture, and come back to what they never stopped to be and become dangerous by distorting alll thay they learnt through their western lens. Whatever they touch by those lens becomes simplified, unnaturalised and clearly distorted.
As I am very far from being an scholar, capable of responding to her nonsense after nonsense, this is what I do. And at my very small scale of interaction with people, I try to clarify till the extent I can.
Everything is karma and vasanas, Ajayji….sometimes I wonder till what extent I chose Dharma or whether it was Dharma who found me. 🙂
Dear Maria Ji,
Thanks for your reply. Its always good to read your view point [on RM forum as well]
Have a wonderfull day 🙂
Regards
Ajay
Can I call You Sir, in my country respected people are called as master or sir,,( You understood , same way sages Practices ,,,the way budhha , jessus and sages understood dharma—In india Most people are Hindu…. but They are very Ordinary…Everyone cannot be ARYA or nobel man , for that one must have to be tested by nature earth by people,( but certification comes from personal satisfaction when himself knowing the divine knowledge inside heart making man completing )))) This is the beauty of ARYA or Sage( All hindu are not ARYA or Nobel )
By the way You can connect with me in Facebook https://www.facebook.com/love.dettachment
Our Level of experience is attracting me towards you .
Thats really great reading your story about how u became Hindu. I can imagine the depth of study you have done about Hindu Dharma. I really appreciate your work. and I hope we will get some directions from you to make the Hindu community aware of the importance oh Hindu Dharma.
I second your opinion,Rajesh.
Convert having a hindu name is to deceive people. Madhu is one such convert
Can u say where hindus r converting other religious people by missionaries or brainwashing as there lord is only supreme or forcefully converting to believe hinduism.
There is no teaching school for hinduism and no books available to common man in there native language. Only pandits n baba ruling these religion n spreading myth. Till now what i have learn is through my mother and dad and exprience of essence in life. To make it more aware and rich heritage we have there must be some sought of community teaching by those who studied n understand. Today other than performing puja by brahmins we dont know anything.
Conversion to Hindu Dharma – I would prefer to call this “Home Coming” – happens only voluntarily, after the person seeks answers to his inner questions and finds the right answers when he meets the GURU that he is destined to reach. There is no forcible conversion or deceptive conversions (with money bags changing hands) as our Sanathana Dharma offers SPIRITUAL FREEDOM and not freebies to get along in this material world. In fact, there are NO FREEBIES in Sanathana Dharma.
I have met SEVERAL people born into X-tian families and who found their answers ONLY in our Sanathana Dharma and have now been following Sanathana Dharma for several years or even decades. Most importantly, we are not in the business of “capturing market share” unlike the other aasuric creeds. Understanding and following Sanathana Dharma requires a certain level of intelligence and emotional maturity and not everyone may find it suited to their nature. Hence it is NOT PRACTICAL to convince everyone around you that Sanathana Dharma is the best.
We recognize the fundamental right of idiots to remain idiots.
[…] Original article can be found at Wodpress […]
Hi! Maria! Lov u. Pls. delete/block the sickening comments of that psycho called Madhu. It’s misnomer. Madhu is honey and he is all poison. He is DEFINITELY nota hindu.
Dear Maria, thanks for the articles. I was taken by a surprise when I read your articles in your blog. I am not saying this because you are a converted Hindu, which I am hearing for the first time in my life. I have only seen people who were converted to Christianity in my friend circle. I was surprised because the kind of enlightenment and knowledge you have gained from great saints like Amma. I would be really glad if I can get an opportunity to meet you.
True . No one converts to Hinduism, One only RETURNS to hinduism
MadhuG is a muslim extremist trying to start fights between Hindus and Hindus and Hindus vs. Christians.
She tried adding me on facebook and I read her posts and she started posting a bunch of support articles to Muslim extremist and praising Osama Bin Laden
[…] How I essentially became a Hindu. […]
Reblogged this on Manoj Kumar Arya.
Wonderful article…..May the Divine Mother fill our lives with love,light and peace
Hi Maria,
Your phrase “neither here(materialistic) nor there(not yet seen the Self)” strikes a chord. Were you able to get over that? What would be your advice to another who finds himself/herself in the same plight?
Regards,
Ram
If one involuntary thinks, imagines or believes, it is thought, imagination or belief. Belief is the conditioning of inaccurate knowledge. Accurate knowledge inevitably liberates man, and can’t condition any one. There are believers of both extreme ideas of ‘existence and non-existence’ of God. An unconditioned person merely and humbly says that he hasn’t seen Him, so his knowledge about God is given by others. Ultimate and the only freedom of man is the freedom from the illusory bondage of knowledge, caused by fragmentation of Intelligence.
The phrase “neither here(materialistic) nor there(not yet seen the Self)” – I can help here. This is quite a normal stage for a person on the spiritual journey.
There are three main stages in the Gnyana Yoga path – Shravana, Manana and Nidhidhyaasana – the first one is the step where you “learn” or hear the Aham Brahma Asmi message, the second one “Manana” is the stage where you are intellectually getting convinced about the truth in this message and the last and final stage “Nidhidhyaasana” is where the person is getting rid of his vaasanaas (or habitual patterns) and starts internalizing the message, starts “living” the message and attempts to immerse oneself in this message.
The feeling of being “neither here(materialistic) nor there(not yet seen the Self)” is quite common in the last stage mentioned above and since this third stage can typically take a very long time, depending on how strong the habits and vasanaas are, one should continue to persevere in this journey. It is a bit like climbing a steep rock and one would tend to slip down a bit from time to time, but that should not deter the climber from attempting to scale the rock.
Pray, can you explain what your message here is?
There are believers of both extreme ideas of ‘existence and non-existence’ of God — why is the belief in the existence of GOD an EXTREME idea? Why can it not be considered as knowledge?
“An unconditioned person merely and humbly says that he hasn’t seen Him, so his knowledge about God is given by others”. The “unconditioned” person in this example will be an “ignorant” person for me. By implication, you are stating that those who have “realized” GOD are “conditioned” persons and not “enlightened” or “knowledgeable” persons. I do not agree with this point of view and I can turn around the argument and say that YOU ARE CONDITIONED by such a belief.
And what exactly do you mean by “…the only freedom of man is the freedom from the illusory bondage of knowledge, caused by fragmentation of Intelligence”. In my world, knowledge LIBERATES and it is IGNORANCE that binds. You are now stating the exact opposite. I have never heard of the “bondage of knowledge” illusory or otherwise.
On the whole, your whole comment is very confused. Or, perhaps you can throw more light on what you mean
I would add to the fabulous comment by Vasuelfolg only one simply thing: SURRENDER, surrender to the One, be it with form or formless, whatever way you perceive Him. Yearning for surrender will guarantee teaching of surrender to the One from the One Himself. Stop thinking and feeling “I” cannot do more to evolve. “I” am stuck. Research who is that “I” and realice the real Nature of the Real “I”; the only one who DOES. Who is te real doer in you and all around?
Acceptance or denial of the existence of God is a compulsive obsession, because it is only an idea or knowledge given to us by our teachers and elders. The problem is not with such ideas or knowledge. It is the ‘dependence or conditioning’ of the I or intelligence that is bothering mankind.
Discovering the principle, structure and operation of the human mind inevitably liberates man. See the link; http://t.co/LR6xIDGTNh
I was looking to reply to a completely nonsensical comment by one Mradula but I see that this comment has (perhaps) been deleted. Good work.
I see that you are an author and you are promoting your book. You are claiming that human intelligence and the “I” feeling are one and the same. Even without reading your book, I can say with 200% confidence that you premise is wrong. What you are stating has been contradicted and disproved in all the Vedic literature and the Upanishads. I suggest you take up a serious learning and reading, under the guidance of a traditional Guru, at least one of the Upanishads or at the very least, the Srimad Bhagawad Geetha, to understand these concepts. Then, hopefully, you will write another book disowning the theory you have propounded in your current book. Good Luck.
Love your thoughts – esp how you became a Hindu. It amazes me that in this day and age when it comes to religion people lose their brain cells. Nothing is proven, any fool can make amazing claims of a magic kingdom just waiting for one after death and the forcing religion on a person – people don’t seem to see or want to see that Heaven is but a Ponzi Scheme. Heaven is but a metaphor – for the past, childhood – a time when we were happy, had few worries, everything was magical, we led a sheltered life – does that not describe Heaven perfectly. The ancient Hindus saw this as an attempt to escape dealing with reality, real life and so they came up with the idea of Reincarnation – there is no magic land to run away to, no magic Sugar Daddy to keep you in comfort – what you are seeing is all there is – up there is but death, choose Life. Life has been so harsh for so long, religions gained eager followers by promising them the moon, the easy life to be had by building castles in the air. Naturally some people stood up and asked where is the evidence for all these tall claims and the ponzi-schemers reacted the way any swindler would, by attacking those who doubted as evil, heretics.
Reincarnation asks to love Life – to me Life is a Great Gift from God – as a Hindu i get to savor it over and over again. I do not want it to ever end and thank God i will not
In India also lot of people believe that there is no God. I am one of them.
Hinduism is a path you follow. You cannot acquire it by reading or being born in it.. You can only be a Hindu by following it. Though Good and Bad are very subjective terms, but a true follower of Hinduism will be a conscious soul taking the path that will get him/her closer to GOD.
Madhu – you have been stating all sorts of things and condemning Maria of being a Christian, well even if we assume she is a Christian, what bad can she do? Shes reading about Hinduism and just putting it out there in her words.
If Madhu you are soo upset about Maria writing it all wrong and infiltrating Hinduism, may be you should start your own blog and write what according to you is Hinduism. Why are you fighting Madhu and stooping soo low? If you are a believer and soo learned ( as you claim) maybe you should put that knowledge to use!!
Maria – the first article I read ” WHY THIS FOCUS ON ’RAPES IN INDIA’ BY WORLD MEDIA?”
and I cannot explain you how much i am touched . Its amazing how all of us and our minds are getting manufactured by Media, how a few people in power are behind all this.
Looking forward to reading & learning a lot more from you…
‘@ Rajendra Salokhe – I have no issues if you say there is no GOD. But just curious to know, what kind of GOD is it that you deny? Can you define the GOD that you say does not exist?
@Vanamali, whatever you have written about “Heaven is but a metaphor – for the past, childhood – a time when we were happy… … The ancient Hindus saw this as an attempt to escape dealing with reality, real life and so they came up with the idea of Reincarnation – Reincarnation asks to love Life – to me Life is a Great Gift from God ” etc. etc. is just your own imagination of what you think Hindu philosophy teaches. This is not authentic Vedic / Vedantic teaching. You need to go back and learn your scriptures properly before touting these as authentic Hindu tenets.
In general, I see that people who consider themselves Hindus just because they are born into a Hindu family, think they know everything there is to know about our tradition, when in fact they are as ignorant as a non-Hindu when it comes to some basic tenets of our great ancient tradition. Educating Hindus about the Hindu tenets is the need of the hour.
For a Hindu, “God” is not a matter of belief. It is a matter of experience. This is one of the many differences between any of the Abrahamic religions and Sanatana Dharma.
The GOD which people believe exists. Generator, Operator, Destructer. The GOD which exists in heaven. The entity people consider to be super power. One should study other religions before concluding about Hindusm. Buddhism, Charvaks etc. I am Hindu by birth but I feel that Buddhism is better.
Namaskar Maria ji.
It gives me tremendous joy to read about your wonderful journey of becoming a Hindu. Your articles are quite inspirational and enriched with spirituality. I am a Hindu, who left India as a child and have lived abroad for over 40 years, and your articles reassures me of my good fortune to read Bhagawat Geeta for all my spiritual queries.
Keep up the wonderful work. Your devotion to Omnipresent – Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh and service to mankind is immensely appreciated.
Best wishes.
Michael from Canada
Good article Sister. To each his religion. While I appreciate your wonderful writing on the beauty of Hinduism I am afraid it shouldn’t be at the cost of another religion. The minute you start criticising another religion you are being less of a Hindu and more of a past hateful-of-past-life convert… No offence sister but just a friendly reminder. If only the people of the world could realise the inherent beauty of every religion – renounce fundamentalism and cherish God then earth would be that elusive heaven. Jai Sri Ram. May the mother’s blessings always be with you.
Why being so afraid of pointing out serious faults? Adi Shankara challenged Buddhists, in ancient times there were debates, Hindu Dharma is about truth, isn’t it?
but since 2000 years we have to deal with two “religions’ (what is the definition of religion?) that claim to be the one and only truth and whoever does not believe it and subscribe to their group, will burn eternally in hell. Moreover, their truth is based only on a claim. No discussion allowed.
I grew up in it and know the disadvantages. Many in Europe do. Please see some more articles on the blog. It may get clearer
Maria Wirth
Buddhism is considered as integral part of Hinduism. Many Hindus consider Buddha as sage or incarnation of god. Who said god leaves in Heaven ? According to Hinduism God is every where.
Dear Maria ji ,your life is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Bhavisya purana that when the Malechas i.e the beef eaters will take to vedas that the vedanta will be revived in whole world.i will give you that verse of Bhavisya Purana later.Do remember that the vedas guarantee that any for which have sacrificed everything of your life ,the same goal will you pursue in your other lives till you get the divine form in Goloka
[…] Original article : https://mariawirthblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/31/how-i-essentially-became-a-hindu/ […]
Here is website of American Hindu
http://metaphysicalmusing.com/
true, this madhu is a christian who wants to spoil hindu name. shame on madhu
wow!Your story is so inspirational. I wish I could meet you and talk lots and lots about Hinduism. I’m really very impressed.
I’ve read about other religions as well and I realise why you might feel that Buddhism is better. But personally my preference is to Hinduism because it offers me the freedom to be whatever I want to be. I can be a theist, atheist, pantheist, deist, polydeist, monotheist etc. and still be a Hindu. Because Hinduism is essentially a culmination of sects, let’s talk about Sanatan Dharma (eternal religion). The freedom it affords is that you’re allowed to question everything and then accept only if you’re satisfied. If you look at Hinduism as it is you’ll understand that it is not really one religion, while some consider Vedas to be the ultimate do all and say all, that is also not true. Tantra does not consider Vedas to be the ultimate truth. You essentially have that freedom. The way I see it, all Dharmic religions (including Buddhism) could be clubbed with Hinduism and it won’t make a difference because the word Hindu (at least in ancient times) came to mean people who live across the Sindh.
Personally I prefer Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma) because the concept of Moksha comes from merging with the whole. Becoming one with the Universe. Whether you see that in a vibrational/spiritual as becoming one with the Brahman or you see it physically, dissipating into the Universe it still makes sense.
On the other hand Buddhism talks of Nirvana by rejecting the material world or reality because to them reality is nothingness.
Core belief of Hinduism is that LIFE is full of joy when you’re close to the truth/enlightened. Sat-Chit-Ananda = Being-Consciousness-Bliss which is a subjective experience of Brahman. Yes moksha can be achieved but even the physical life is joy. This sublime blissful experience of the boundless, pure consciousness is a glimpse of ultimate reality. On the other hand one of Buddha’s fundamental principles is that life is suffering. When we accept that, we want to escape from the world, and so we dedicate ourselves to meditation and breaking the cycle to achieve the nothingness of Nirvana.
As these things are essentially experiential I can only say from experience that the Hindu concept feels closer to the truth to me.
We write about the great Hindu temples in our website http://www.columbuslost.com. Please have a look and let us know your thoughts.
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God in not a person but godliness is a character.
Atheism is very much valid in Hinduism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism_in_Hinduism
Reblogged this on umeshsajjanar.
Happens with me too many times:-
“There were times when all this was easy and many unbelievable coincidences happened, indicating that there is indeed a ‘God’ making his caring Presence felt. There were also many dry times, when it was difficult and I almost despaired at being neither here (immersed in worldly matters) nor there (knowing the truth).”
Excellent write-up 🙂
Reblogged this on Ribhu Vashishtha and commented:
Vedanta wisdom:-
Pranams Dear Maria,
I loved reading your Life narrative of evolution and transformation to the ONE ~ ADVAITA
It is indeed a incredible journey for a person born Christian to have become nearly a hardcore atheist, to have come to India during a stop over and then to have stayed on ever since. Your open heart enquiry and the realization of the SATCHIDANANDA.
I hope at least a few of my friends who consider themselves as non-belivers draw an inspiration to make a genuine enquiry and put the immense spiritual knowledge to trial,……………
and hence I would love to share your blog.
Regards.
Dr.Sunil Godbole.
drgodboles@gmail.com
09960096857
[…] (here I posted more about my own journey https://mariawirthblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/31/how-i-essentially-became-a-hindu/) […]
[…] How I essentially became a Hindu […]
In ancient India we are told everyone was a philosopher. The Tamil saints in the South too challenged various other sects on their philosophies and helped refine the culture. This was the way Hinduism enriched itself in the past. In that ancient milieu where cutting edge philosophical ideas were debated and discarded, Abrahamic dogmatic religions would not have had a chance to survive. It is a pity that, probably because of the colonial suppression of the Indian psyche, learned scholars and sages of today are shying away from taking centre stage, to keep that tradition alive, to drive away the cancer of bad ideas that are so detrimental to the world community. Thanks to a lovable and admirable “foreigner” like you, truth may remain uncovered for all to see.
Is it fair to continue allowing idol worship & Hinduism in India when the constitution explicitly says promote scientific temper?
Let me ask you one question: IS THERE ANY RELIGION WHICH IS SCIENTIFIC? (except may be Scientology) In fact the core of Sanatan dharma is probably more scientific than most other religions. (Not talking about rituals)…. Then why isolate Only Idol Wor…
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful thought in so simple words.
God bless you.
[…] Source: How I essentially became a Hindu […]
A great article. Frankly, while there is a small faith at the back of my mind that Sanatana dharma will survive in India, I feel that only the westerners who have a more open and scientific temperament and have realised the shallowness of Christianity, will carry forward its torches. Modern India looks too tamasic to do anything. The money and aggression of the abrahamic religions, the dangerous games being played by media, and the tacit support from the weak political class is a big cause for concern. india is the only nation where the indigenous culture is still intact despite a 700 year brutal rule by the Muslims. All other cultures have vanished. Whether the money power and the pseudo secularism can cause its destruction remains to be seen.
As you have Highlighted, it takes years of practice to achieve even a small progress in spiritual matters, as the old habits die hard. And Sanatana dharma is a very experiential system, where you can experiment with your own life with full freedom. Other religions take a very easy, lazy, faith-based approach, where if you simply believe God is great, that is enough to give you salvation. A very simplistic point of view. But men want simplistic catchy terms. Even spiritual giants like Ramakrishna and Sri Aurobindo spent years in their Sadhana, and the followers of the abrahamic faith think that a few simple principles can make them reach heaven. How much difference is there between the outlook. Except for rare cases, when someone is devoutly Christian and devoutly Muslim, and observes all the practices, instead of love for all human beings it is more hatred towards the pagans and heathens. So a lifetime of study and simplistic practices has not changed their nature at all.
Of course, we naturally born Hindus 🙂 also chase western values and deride our own culture. But on a positive note, the Hindu religion allows you to question everything and not accept anything blindly. But this modern contempt for anything Hindu is not because of original questioning – just the missionary power, and the full support from everyone in the political class.
I fully agree that most Hindus including me are ignorant about Vedas & upanishads. May be no interests or do not know the taste of them. There is a dire need to educate Hindus about these in a simple & interesting way by adopting some innovative methods.
And that is completely fine with sanatana dharma. You can ‘not believe’ as much as you want
Hinduism in its truest form explains theory of this universe,galaxy, cause & effect & beyond. Sincerely appreciate the fact how you being from a foreign land felt & realised the essence of our religion.its just a wish of the Lord Himself that he wanted you to realise Him..stay blessed maria..jai shree krishna
[…] Source: How I essentially became a Hindu […]
Loved reading your article, welcome to the Hindu fold, essentially peaceful.. Hinduism you to pursue spirituality at your own pace, in your own form..you can choose to practice or not practice, you can follow strict scriptures or design your methods for realise I ng God in any form… Hinduism is a way of life.
I hope you will allow me to repost your article on my blog with your name as the author ofcourse.
of course you can repost it.
Thank you for the lucidity of your thoughts.. Hinduism is an all expansive way of life, get rid of dogmas and all you have is an ocean of knowledge that guides you towards self realisation with compassion for fellow beings, to lead a good and just life, we don’t have concept of Satan in Hinduism, we are not taught to fear our God..We are taught God is in every molecule of our being and walks with us.. there is no barbarism involved… no belittling of other religions.. we are not taught it is Sin to accept pious food from Mosque and churches.. we have deep inbuilt confidence in our faith and hence can stand of a mosque and church and pray to God in those forms without any fear of angering our Gods… the other day on a Mumbai local a lady practicing another religion exclaimed loudly you know yoga is good but it is a sin for us to practice yoga!!!! It showed the level of ignorance and indoctrination that has gone to fill her mind with so much fear about a form of beneficial exercise!!! And all the other ladies predominantly Hindu choose to ignore her comment and buried themselves in their mobiles… but sometimes i wonder too much complacency and non reactive stance is probably what is becoming our undoing… today our freedom and way of life is under threat.. more and more we find people practising beliefs alien to this land.. answering to calls from foreign lands..
the only thing to fear is bad karma which if we accumulate has to be redeemed through several births like a bad loan..Hinduism doesn’t fear apostasy, teaches to embrace all religions as just another path to realize the God inside..but probably that is why it is seen as a weakreligion.A close Hindu friend career banker married to a catholic Christian is still not fully accepted by her inlaws after twenty two years of marriage why cause she refused to be baptised! So till date she hears curses from her in-laws that cause of her adamant stance their son will never be accepted in heaven!!!l how do u rationalise with this king of brainwashed mindsets when even educated people whose traceable ancestors were Hindus talk in this manner..Hindus are free to choose any form of God that appeals to us and I am grateful for that freedom being a very lazy Hindu myself..Hinduism teaches to lead to our own inner light which ultimately is the light of God..India today stands as an Island of freedom and calm , however the time bombs have been planted inside and on the borders and it is ticking away..time for the lazy complacent Hindu majority Indian to speak up and protect this way of life.
thank u, very well expressed…
Loved reading your article. It gave me newer perspective of hinduism.
I see a lot of people are explaining to u what true hinduism really is.
Find it funny cuz I Donot think u need any explanation. U became a hindu long before I was born or most of them commenting were born (considering most of the post is from the younger generation)
OK TO DISCOVER UR OWN ANSWERS.
Maria Writh is a great lady. She is a better Hindu than many born Hindus. Please do not mock her interpretation. V R indeed honored to have her in our midst. Her writings have inspired may a lost soul.
U dont get it. U can be an atheist and a Hindu. I M one. Hindu has cultural manifestations and teachings that can give u a better life without belief in God. Good luck.
THIS IS REQUEST MARIA WIRTH NOT TO BLOCK TROLLS. We R with U Mariaji and will deal with them. Use trolls to clean the mirror U r showing to Hindus.
That Book of Swami Vivekananda, ‘Jnana Yoga’ is unarguably the most scientific book on religion [specifically spirituality]. I read it and almost all of my questions were answered to the satisfaction. The description of time cause and space is clear enough. Glad to know that Swami ji keep inspiring the world even now.
Wonderful, and the best part is one can still be a aethist and a Hindu.
Very good understanding which must have come after due (inner) experience at feeling level, as mere text/ thoughts developed upon reading thereof, may not grant it.
Grateful !
May I suggest reading my Master’s essays on Religion, Goal of Life & Spiritual Training from Reality at Dawn book uploaded on http://www.sriramchandra.org
Dear Maria,
You are more aware about Hinduism (to borrow a western term) than an average Hindu, as is natural for the one who adopts to it than for the one who gets it by default.
I could not find so far any misunderstanding in your writing about it.
My best wishes.
Agree wholeheartedly.
Substantial
Hinduism is a way of life, and beauty is that it embraces every one, and its for all, it can’t denounce any one, prime bases being everyone is one be it nature people around or god itself, so I don’t know what Madhug is speaking :).
Kindly read essays titled The Religion, The Goal of Life, The Spiritual Training from Relaity at Dawn book uploaded on http://www.sritamchandra.org, for due clarity
Congratulations.You have found the light.I will go through comments gradually.Thank you
Ma’am
I read your article. Your journey is really fascinating and wonderful. I would like to ask you many more questions and talk to you. You are seeking something earnestly and you will find it, I believe.
Wish you all the best.
Sunil
Madam,
You have very well captured the essence of hinduism in this article. Loved it!!!
Be happy वासुदेव कुटुंबकम welcome to our family feel bliss
In Hinduism we believe in Destiny. It was destiny which made you stop over in India on your way to Australia. See how all questions have logical answers and it fits like a jigsaw puzzle in your case!
Thanks for this insightful article born out of your life-experience.
Regards
Rajeev
I can understand every word of you Mariaji. I came across some truth hungry westerners who found the real truth in teachings of sanatan Dharma (Hinduism).
Being an inquisitive, benevolent, seeker of truth person you are definitely miles ahead of me in the the que for absolute truth. I felt blessed after reading your blog. God bless you.
I cried reading your story, thanks for being so nice to us indians
[…] Source: – Maria Wirth Blog. […]
How do we maintain the experience? Is a question that bothered me. Any ideas?
One of the best articles on faith in God, on Vedanta, on self realisation, on all pervading Brahma by a Western mind. Incredible article !
The processes of creation and death as contiuum – life and non-life – are themselves evidence of something beyond human comprehension; that which ‘started’ these processes happening call it God, nature, whatever. Science can explain these, create many of these in the labs by copying the processes and may eventually create life and death and still be the process itself. There is no doubt in my mind that I am part of the processes and still outside it accepting this.
Divinity is neither a matter of belief or experience; It’s a matter of existence.
Words fail to express the state of Existence in Divinity.
शुभमस्तु
You are absolutely right. Thank you for helping through your comment.
Since you commented on a post written in English, please translate your comment. Thank you
தாங்கள் ஒரு ஆசிர்வதிக்கபட்ட ஆன்மா…
Real n logical conclusions.
A friend got the idea to copy your reply on google translator. Thank you for your comment.
Understanding all these is very strenous for a common man and missionaries have taken advantage of this. They simply show a straight forwarded God and make him to focus on only that. Just like how only one tube light is switched on in a dark room and the moths are made to focus only on this light without making them aware of the source of this light or other natural infinite light pervading in the universe.The moths simply revolve around this light without any purpose and wither away.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Most Hindus are not aware of a lot of things you mentioned. I realised ‘his’ presence from many situations that we were made to go through.
One of aunty is a disciple of Ma Anandamayi Ma
Respected ma’am, you have gained this knowledge because you explored the things in a practical way with a broad mind. Actually, Hinduism is not only the most ancient way of life, but the most inclusive and practical way of life. I’m stunned sometimes when I see that some ambitious people try to twist the real interpretation of Hinduism for fulfilling their own worldly desires. I am a Post Graduate in Law and I have interest in research of these topics. I’ll feel myself fortunate if I could ever have your “Darshan”. Thank you.
It was enlightening, thanks !
So true reply by other persons here. Agreed.
It is not about God or No-God, it is about believing. And your belief in No-God makes you ‘Aastik’ (Believer) already.
Mam, your “Prarabdha Karma” has made you come back to Hindu Way Of Life. Your Past Karma has written your ‘today’. Again doing good will land you in ‘Moksha’.
Good wishes, God Bless.
How blessed are you (and me), not because you are a Hindu, but because how close you are to true-self. That oneness realisation and acceptance is the essence and you got it. Makes you yet another enlightened life, as you saw it in other two, you mentioned. After reading your blog it feels like I cleaned my inner self today yet again, and that’s what of our inner realised God (‘antratma-permatma’) does, through pure ‘Gyan’
Respect – Because you see Bhagwan. ‘Seey-Ram may sab jag jani, karahun pranam jori jug pani’.
Bhagwan – Everywhere, Everyone-Everything, Every-time. Sarvbhaumik, Sarvatra aur saman bhi. (Hari vyapak sarvatra samana, prem te pragat hoy mai jana’)
Thanks
Thank you ma’am for this blog. I am sure, you discovered this truth due to (inherited) past “samskars”. Your “annodak” (food+water)is here in India, how fortune you are! You will be free of bondage, sooner. My respectful
In a sense, even the seemingly different positions of Advaita, Vishistadvaita, Dvaita and others all appeal to different minds at different levels of understanding and awareness. Bhagavan also having a name and form as Krishna says that He appears to each One in the form each one wants to see Him. A child sees the father, wife sees the husband, the servant sees the master, he sees himself as a son..But the person is same for the one who observes all these roles. Likewise, Krishna is same but people see him in the way they relate to.
You must be a Christian for sure!
You are a real Sadhvi and a realised soul. Your exploration of your real self through the philosophy of Hinduism is in real sense needs to be emulated. I don’t say this as a born Hindu but as a soul who continues to be in quest of real purpose of life and to give it back to the society and environment which sustains us.
Awesome.
“Hindu Dharma is not a belief system but is based on natural, universal laws” – This sums it up for me. Being a Hindu, I always tell many that Hinduism is not about beliefs. Everything in Hinduism is/was followed for a reason which was applicable in the ancient times. We have lost the reasons in the modern world. Hopefully we’ll find them all again to bring more meaning to Hinduism even in the eyes of the general public.
Om shanti shanti shantihi.
Shankaracharya said (based on Vedas) only Atma is Satya and everything else is Mitya (seeming real, meaning that which is impermanent). So the next question was, then what are these things that are Mitya, to which he said, they are also Atma only. This means, there is only Atma and nothing else.
The analogy of waves of ocean she mentions in the blog explains this beautifully.
Intelligence is Buddhi while I ness is close to Ahamkar/Asmita
It’s always a pleasure reading your posts. You must have been Indian, and most probably a Hindu, in your past birth. Those samskaras brought you back here. The soul matters and not the place where one is born or the religion one follows. If we are aware that we are Divine, that’s enough. As a follower of Advaita and Sri Ramana Maharishi I believe that there is only One Reality that manifests as many due to Maya. Ekam Sath. Once we realize that there would be no difference and dispute. Thanks again Ms. Wirth for a wonderful post.
Very nice write up; gives one a warm feeling. Thanks for the encouragement for Hindus. I live in the Middle East, and meet a lot of patients every day. One behavior trait of Hindus strikes me: most of the time, they’re meek, often unnecessarily so. Those who are not, appear as aggressive as Arabs or Peacefuls from other regions. Westerners most of the time appear confident, respectfully, smart – but never meek. I feel this meekness of Hindus is because of the prolonged persecution they have been going through; they feel disenfranchised everywhere. I wish we could change that: one only needs to be meek before the Creator; with other human beings, one should be confident.
Upon death we loose identity with present world,incl religion what one carries forward is essence in the form of impression (created on our mind the actions & thoughts on various happenings/unfulfilled wishes from his past life/lives, & based on that we take our next birth in such family. Liberation we should strive for to rid off birth death cycle.
There is no difference in God & you. Infact He resides in every one of us Realization is when we realize that He & I & all other creations are one & the same. To start with, God could be concept of being Almighty, samdrushti/samnyayi. When we dissolve in infinite from our current finite entity with feeling of seperateness from all others,we get liberated from every bond.
[…] I described my experience. “essentially” means, i didn’t take any official step to “become” a Hindu, […]
The views of the auther reflects her understanding of the Advita philosophy to a greater extent. However I would like to add a few lines here. The whole philosophy is based on Sanatana Dharma which is the bundle of knowledge existed from time immemorial. It’s evolution is much older than all the religions. Since it originated in this part of the world and since the people here followed it, in due course it became an identity of people lived here. It was a time when on earth there was no religion at all.
In the flow of time, in order to discipline the way of life of human beings various thoughts developed across the globe which gave birth to other semantic religions.
When those who followed such other religions came to India, the already existing people on this geographies started knowing as Hindus and others according to their beliefs like Christians Muslims etc.
But actually the thoughts of Sanatana Dharma is all inclusive, which advocates the whole stuff in the universe as part of the Super Power or Parabrahman and naturally all individual lives and millions of independent intelligent cells in each object living or non living.
The first line of Easavasyopanishad is sufficient enough to explain it “easavasyamidam sarvam” meaning the whole matter (perceivable or non perceivable including space) has the presence of the one and only,The Supreme That is, the whole unity is God. It includes everything in it and not restricting it’s believers or the humans or the flora and fauna,but the whole matter and space (quantum physics says all matters are compressed form of space) See how noble a thought! It is impossible to have a better thought or concience for the humanity for ever!
And it is not a simple belief, but a scientific fact. Even if you think in a pure materialistic perspective, if we look back to our origine even beyond the sperm and egg of our parents, we understand that it is generated in their body from the food, water and air they consumed from the Nature. In due course the embryo grows from the food ,water, air and the emotions and thoughts of the mother, takes birth and thereafter fed by the mother with her breast milk generated from the food,water, air and emotions. As the child grows further, it starts to draw food etc independently from the Nature. In due course he recreates,extending his body and life to new offsprings and at last merges the left over portion of the body into the same Nature where from he evolved. This means we are all evolved from the Nature and finally merges back into it. Now if you forget this life span which is negligible in the infinite stretch of time, nothing is created or distroyed in the Nature except continuous change of forms. Just like a bubble formed and remerged with the vast ocean! A truth scientifically proved by Einstein in his theory of relativity. “Energy can neither be created nor be distroyed. ”
Every single (apparent) object is a form of kinetic or potential energy and what we see in birth, death and other events are all only a change of form or metamorphosis. This is what is meant by “Aham Brahmasmi” (it is me which is present in everything, I am the Brahman, there is nothing other than Brahman)and it believes in “Loka sanastha Sukhino Bhavanthu”
Very inspiring!Thank you for sharing this writeup. It is good Karmas from your past births which put you on this track! All the best to you!
Thank you
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Being a hindu by birth I learnt many rituals and their significance from my grandmother, relatives and gurus and can’t understand why we are so misunderstood. Glad you have found it endearing and uplifting and wish you all the best.
Sir you will not celebrate Diwali to protest? You must be a fake Hindu.
As a proud Hindu, we do not celebrate our festivals to for anyone else. Plus you say you will change your religion from Hinduism. Everyone born is a Hindu. It is not a something you can change. You can just change your faith.
I am a proud Hindu and promote and celebrate it. And I am so honored that people from the world have started finding out the significance of Hinduism.